This weekend (Sat., Feb. 15, 2025), Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns house to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 102. This occasion would possibly as properly be marketed because the final stand of Jared Cannonier, who hopes to halt the bleeding after consecutive losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. Credit score to the previous title challenger, who has headlined in his final 5 appearances and eight occasions whole. Elsewhere on the cardboard, Featherweight boxing ace Calvin Kattar equally seems to be to rebound reverse resurgent expertise Youssef Zalal. It’s a superbly customary “Struggle Evening” occasion in any other case, the same old mixture of veterans attempting to interrupt via and Contenders Sequence veterans attempting to make a reputation.
Let’s dig into all the primary card fights main as much as the co-main occasion:
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Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (-310) vs. Dylan Budka (+250)
Greatest Win for Shahbazyan? Brad Tavares For Budka? Chad HanekomCurrent Streak: Shabazyan misplaced his final bout, whereas Budka has misplaced two straight X-Issue: Shahbazyan is thought to implodeHow these two match up: How far “Golden Boy” has fallen …
Again within the pre-2020 days of yore, Shahbazyan was the most popular up-and-comer at 185-pounds, a 22-year-old expertise who saved operating via his opposition. A extra elite class of opposition uncovered weaknesses in his defensive wrestling and conditioning to stall his rise, and since then, even pretty common Middleweights have managed to present him actual hassle.
Talking of common … Budka is one in all many Contenders Sequence merchandise who appears unlikely to earn an extension to his contract. The 25-year-old “Senseless Hulk” has struggled contained in the Octagon, getting totally outwrestled after which knocked out in his pair of UFC bouts.
By all rights, this must be a simple bounce again struggle for Shahbazyan after his “GM3” defeat. Budka might have scored a pair takedowns on Cesar Almeida, however he fatigued himself within the course of and nonetheless couldn’t actually get a lot happening the canvas. Shahbazyan is the far sharper striker and may have a big technical edge on the canvas too.
Except he’s mentally shattered, he must be again within the win column by Sunday morning.
Prediction: Shahbazyan through knockout
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Light-weight: Ismael Bonfim (-162) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (+136)
Greatest Win for Bonfim? Terrance McKinney For Sadykhov? Terrance McKinney Present Streak: Bonfim gained his final bout, whereas Sadykhov enters off a drawX-Issue: Bonfim has much more high-level experienceHow these two match up: It is a high quality Light-weight scrap.
Okay, Bonfim bought steamrolled by Benoit Saint Denis — it occurs, and that’s his solely defeat within the final decade! Exterior of that loss, the Brazilian prospect has confirmed to have a well-rounded sport with good ending instincts in all places, complimented by plenty of fights in opposition to high quality opponents even previous to his UFC pickup. Sadykhov has rather a lot much less seasoning, however he’s clearly a gifted younger fighter as properly. A robust wrestler with very fluid fingers, Sadykhov is without doubt one of the most up-to-date prospects to rise via the Serra-Longo ranks.
The query right here is whether or not or not Sadykhov has sufficient of an athleticism edge to repeat Saint Denis’ success. Can he run over Bonfim both on the toes or on the canvas? The previous appears extra probably, as Sadykhov hasn’t but demonstrated the Frenchman’s brutal prime sport to accompany his sturdy takedowns.
I’m not satisfied the velocity and energy hole is sort of that vast, nonetheless, seeing as Sadykhov struggled to actually pull forward of Slava Borshchev in his final bout. He ended up in a technical kickboxing match no matter his bodily presents, and it value him.
Bonfim outworks him ought to that early end fail to materialize.
Prediction: Bonfim through choice
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Middleweight: Rodolfo Vieira (-218) vs. Andre Petroski (+180)
Greatest Win for Vieira? Armen Petrosyan For Petroski? Gerald MeerschaertCurrent Streak: Each males have gained two in a rowX-Issue: Will these grappler vs. wrestler battle finish as a kickboxing match?How these two match up: Learn above, that is basic BJJ vs. collegiate wrestling with a little bit of gassed out Middleweight aptitude.
Vieira has really executed an admirable job of studying from earlier errors. The jiu-jitsu legend has shored up his boxing by a substantial diploma, developed his energy double leg additional, and might now push an affordable tempo for quarter-hour. At 35 years previous, is there nonetheless time for him to interrupt into the rankings and put collectively some sort of run?
Petroski is only a couple years youthful than his foe and should be taught a few of these classes himself. The previous UNC Chapel Hill wrestler usually fights like a foul out of hell, which has resulted in some fast finishes. Nevertheless, it’s additionally value him down the stretch, although maybe his current pair of choice wins is a showcase of maturity.
Eh.
Petroski’s final two bouts noticed him simply wrestle foes who have been generalists. Vieira is significantly extra threatening that Budka or Josh Fremd, which means he gained’t simply have the ability to wrestle his approach out of hazard when issues get furry. Extra probably, Vieira occasions that double sooner or later, and wrestlers hate being placed on their again.
Prediction: Vieira through submission
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Featherweight: Jose Delgado (-230) vs. Connor Matthews (+190)
Greatest Win for Delgado? Ernie Juarez For Matthews? Jair FariasCurrent Streak: Delgado debuts having gained 5 straight, whereas Matthews misplaced his personal UFC debut final March X-Issue: Each males have lower than 10 professional fightsHow these two match up: A pair of Contenders Sequence merchandise will collide.
Delgado, age 26, is on a powerful streak, having completed 5 straight opponents main into this match up. Large for the division, Delgado has a well-rounded and violent sport most notable for his exercise. Matthews is six years older and extra of a specialist. 5 of his seven victories come through submission, although he proved in his debut in opposition to Buzukja that he’s not helpless on his toes both.
Matthews’ protection failed him in his debut, and it’s nonetheless a priority right here. Regardless of dropping weight courses, he’s nonetheless dealing with a 3 inch top and attain drawback. Worse nonetheless, Delgado is the extra fluid striker with higher energy in his fingers. It seems like Matthews has to grind his opponent down with wrestling, in any other case he’s going to get beat up.
Can he do it? It’s attainable, as Delgado continues to be fairly unproven. The MMA Lab product appears to have reliable floor abilities of his personal, nonetheless, and it’s usually powerful to go in opposition to the youthful, extra athletic fighter when neither has actually proven what they’ll do on the UFC degree.
Prediction: Delgado through knockout
